Mayor Stimpson attends Singapore Airshow 2016

Feb 19th, 2016

MOBILE, Ala. - Mayor Sandy Stimpson returned to Mobile late Thursday following an economic development trip to Singapore.

Stimpson led a local delegation that included representatives from the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce and the Mobile Airport Authority.

The group attended the Singapore Airshow 2016 where they met with prospective companies in the aerospace industry.

"Aerospace is a primary target of our economic development strategy and the global competition for these jobs is intense," said Mayor Stimpson. "Our competitors were well-represented in Singapore and it's important we could be there to sell Mobile."

In addition to new prospects, the group also met with companies already doing business in Mobile including Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd. The company, based in Singapore, employs 1,500 in Mobile at its VT/MAE repair hub at the Brookley Aeroplex. VT/MAE celebrated its 25th anniversary in Mobile last year.

Stimpson met with top ST Engineering executives including Chairman Chong Seng and Pheng Hock, the company's president and chief executive officer.

"Singapore Technologies is a valued employer in Mobile and we are committed to helping them be successful," said Mayor Stimpson. "One of our goals is to continue building that relationship because we think there are tremendous opportunities for them to expand in Mobile."

Other companies represented at the air show included Airbus, which is set to deliver the first A321 jet from its Mobile final assembly line later this spring, as well as AVIC International, the parent company of Continental Motors Inc. in Mobile.

Other companies that have recently announced projects in Mobile included Zodiac Aerospace, Hutchinson Aerospace and Safran USA.

The Singapore Airshow, the largest in Asia, is held every two years and is attended by high-level government and military delegations, as well as senior corporate executives from the world’s leading aerospace and defense firms. This year’s show, which runs from February 16-21, is scheduled to include 274 delegations from 76 countries and regions, in addition to worldwide media.

Stimpson and George Talbot, Senior Director of Communications and External Affairs for the City of Mobile, departed for Singapore from the Mobile Regional Airport on Friday, February 12, and returned to Mobile on Thursday, February 18.